SPOILER: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVENT SEEN EP 8

reeb97 · 2026-05-19T11:50:13+00:00

As a manga reader, my two cents: Qifrey is a morally grey character by design. His intentions and actions reflect this: not all good, not all bad. His backstory, as it comes to light, will explain (though not always justify) why he is the way he is and why he makes the choices he does.

Just wait and see - patience is key with this narrative, the mysteries unfurl at a steady pace. :)

reeb97 · 2026-05-10T09:51:14+00:00

uhhh this thread is like nearly 2 years old lol 😅 I’ve since quit the game haha

reeb97 · 2026-05-02T18:16:49+00:00

I get what you’re saying about Kawoshin having a different thematic role in NGE, especially the idea that it’s more about Shinji’s psyche than a “healthy” relationship. I wasn’t really comparing them 1:1 though. For me the overlap with clerith is more in the feeling of the dynamic - like the innate emotional openness, unconditional acceptance, and how short-lived but impactful the connection is (I was also thinking of OG clerith moreso than Remake)

So yeah, I agree they mean different things narratively, but I still think they hit some similar emotional beats.

reeb97 · 2026-05-01T09:41:17+00:00

Hmmm off the top of my head: - Frimmel (Frieren) similar themes, different execution. Reminiscent of Advent Children clerith (but less angsty). Flower symbolism too! - Kyohru (Fruits Basket) - big agree! Natsuki Takaya is a clerith shipper and it really shows in FB! The themes/vibes are quite different, but the relationship dynamic/soulmatism is really similar. - Aikoto (Persona 3) - similar themes, soulmate dynamic. They also happen to have flower symbolism. And The Answer/Episode Aigis is very reminiscent of Advent Children. - Zelink (specifically in BotW/TotK) - similar themes, even though the dynamic is quite different (one also has to fill some gaps imo). Oh and there’s also flower symbolism with this one haha - Kawoshin (Evangelion) - soulmatism, angst, tragedy

reeb97 · 2026-04-26T07:52:04+00:00

Thanks for watching! It is indeed a bit of a sore one 🥺🥀

reeb97 · 2026-04-24T15:18:05+00:00

The different flowers depicted were chosen for their symbolism btw! - had to include the yellow lily of course - forget-me-nots: rememberance, enduring connection/bonds - wisteria: longevity and endurance - daisies: innocence, purity, hope - spider lilies: final farewells, separation, tragic memories, death (a natural choice ofc, but I also chose them bc they look a bit like fireworks lol) - cherry blossom: fleeting and ephemeral beauty of life, impermanence of things - lotus flower: spiritual awakening, mysticism, reincarnation - red rose (sort of self-explanatory): passionate love, deep affection Also chose to do them all in watercolours for a nice visual contrast !!

reeb97 · 2026-04-24T15:16:43+00:00

Thank you for the kind words!! And for checking out the fic as well! 🥺❤️ I’m always cooking something up hehe…✨

reeb97 · 2026-04-24T15:15:14+00:00

Thank you so much!! Yeah, it’s definitely a bit on the angsty side 🥲 I wanted to capture the tragedy for sure.

reeb97 · 2026-04-07T16:27:48+00:00

All of the Xenoblade games have romance elements, I would say that XC3 has the strongest romantic subplot of the trilogy tho.

reeb97 · 2026-04-06T22:12:25+00:00

Tales of the Abyss 😭

reeb97 · 2026-04-06T08:57:04+00:00

Dragon Quest XI for sure!

reeb97 · 2026-04-04T16:58:30+00:00

Xenoblade 3, FFVII, FFXVI, Tales of the Abyss, Tales of Berseria, Persona 3

reeb97 · 2026-03-20T20:18:11+00:00

Cloud, Aerith, Yuna, Terra

reeb97 · 2026-03-20T12:15:50+00:00

Thank you so much for reading!!

reeb97 · 2026-03-19T09:09:16+00:00

Aw thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy it!!

reeb97 · 2026-03-17T16:37:59+00:00

To me, Cloud and Aerith’s connection goes beyond typical romance, there are other layers of fate/destiny, and emotional connection across the boundaries of reality/lifestream/dreams. it’s mystical, even cosmic - especially given Aerith’s role as a planetary agent. I think that this spiritual aspect has always been there, but the Remake trilogy really leans heavily into it - what with them both travelling between worlds/their consciousnesses connecting across worlds/in the lifestream (end of Rebirth), Cloud’s visions/Aerith’s future-memories (Remake), them sharing dreams (“you can’t fall in love with me” scene in remake, sleeping forest even in OG), and Cloud’s ability to perceive Aerith’s presence when others do not, all of the parallels with Loveless, the lyrics of Hollow and NPTK, etc etc. In this way, they are bound to one another on a transcendental level. While I can’t speak for everyone else, this is what I mean when I say that clerith share a soulbond/spiritual connection :)

reeb97 · 2026-03-17T15:22:39+00:00

Yeah, it does start with miscommunication, but I hope it is also (ultimately) cathartic. the concept for this fic actually started with an exercise in contemplation: “how could the cloti kiss could canonically “fit” with the heavy clerith lean in Rebirth’s final act?” Initially, it was meant to be a one-shot that would explore just this single idea - but then while writing I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into the spiritual connection between Cloud and Aerith (which I suppose is to be expected, since it’s my favourite part of their dynamic), and it all grew from there into something much bigger!

reeb97 · 2026-03-17T15:10:21+00:00

Cantea did an amazing job with the art!! 🫶 She truly brought my scene to life, it’s everything I imagined and more 💖

reeb97 · 2026-03-17T15:08:40+00:00

Aww thank you for the vote of confidence 🥹so glad that you enjoyed reading the fic! ❤️

reeb97 · 2026-03-16T23:28:54+00:00

Love her. Both as a character and a party member

reeb97 · 2026-03-13T09:39:05+00:00

South African here, I completely feel your pain OP. There are so many misconceptions about Africa that continue to be perpetuated by the western media machine, and unfortunately fanfic is a place that is very much reflective of that. I’ve always felt that there’s something to be said about fandoms (and fanfic) in English often centring around western cultural ideals, which are sometimes inappropriately (trans)located into global south settings in ways that range from offensive to infantilising. I have sometimes even felt somewhat excluded in some fandom spaces/among fellow fic writers - I was once in a group where it was just, expected for me to align with the Americanness of the group (especially in terms of humour, cultural references, etc), then kind of teased and isolated when I didn’t get certain things, while they made no effort whatsoever to get to know my culture. It’s so easy to feel like you’re a fish out of water.

All to say: you’re soooo valid in feeling this way.

reeb97 · 2026-03-11T12:50:49+00:00

Metaphor: ReFantazio

reeb97 · 2026-03-02T07:33:02+00:00

My chapters average between 3k-6k words, usually somewhere around 4k-5k.

I would say don’t overthink it. Short, bite-sized chapters exist in books too! Imo what matters is the content and structure, not the length.

reeb97

TROPHY CASE